Strong-willed and fearless. These are two words which could best describe the ‘small but terrible’ Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Real, Quezon, Miliarete “Milet” Buisan-Panaligan, who sadly passed away on August 27, 2018 due to health complication.

The sole woman CENRO in CALABARZON became well-known for her brave and tireless fight against the ‘illegalists’ in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, particularly, the Real-Infanta-General Nakar (REINA) area, and the Polillo Group of Islands (POGI), both illegal logging ‘hotspots’.

The passionate Batangueña has undeniably left a significant mark not only on her co-employees, but also on the communities and institutions she has closely worked with in her 32 years of service at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Panaligan started working as a casual Forester at the DENR Region 4 in 1986. In 2010, she became Officer-In-Charge, CENRO, Real, Quezon and, in 2015, she assumed as the full-fledged head of the DENR field office.

From then on, CENRO Milet prioritized fierce enforcement against illegal loggers. She had led several operation plans (OPLAN) in Sierra Madre, MAREINAUA (Mauban, Real, Infanta, General Nakar, Umiray, Aurora) and POGI from 2011-2014. She also initiated the Brigada Sierra from 2015-2016 with the tagline “Mamamayan, Kasama Ka”, encouraging ordinary people to report perceived illegal forest activities through text message.

Due to her perseverance to eradicate environmental crimes, she got a number of death threats. But, she would always say she is not afraid as she has put her fate into the hands of God.

In 2012, she received a Gawad Muyong Award from then Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje and then Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Glorioso V. Miranda, as champion in anti-illegal logging operation in REINA-POGI. In 2014, she received an Outstanding Public Service Award from the University of the Philippines Los Baños - College of Forestry and Natural Resources Alumni Association. Even in her earlier years in service, she was given several awards in recognition of her excellence and dedication.

The bold but outgoing lady leader used her expertise in community organizing in carrying out her mandate to protect and conserve the natural resources within her jurisdiction. She had a pure heart for public service, committed to building rapport with the locals especially the Indigenous Peoples, and making genuine forest protection partners out of them.